After being first established in October 1877, The Palmer Chronicle experienced a stop-start existence. After only four months, publication was suspended for the first time, being resurrected one month later under the editorship and management of J. D. Gibson. Continuing publication until July or August 1879, it was discontinued, before Gibson rescued it again in September. In October, Gibson left to edit The Cooktown Herald, before returning to The Palmer Chronicle once more in April 1881.
The following year, In April 1882, Gibson sold The Chronicle to Francis Charles Hodel and his son, Frederick. By January 1883, Gibson was once again editing The Chronicle, followed by James Fowler in May 1883. In mid-1884 the paper ceased publication once more, before resuming in October under the management of J. Wehre-Crozhur.
By December 1885 Gibson was back in charge, and the newspaper remained in print until March 1886 when Gibson left to establish The Croydon Mining News. In January 1888, Gibson resumed publication of the paper for the last time until it finally ceased on 24 January 1891.
